Flush tank



C. A. EASLEY April 8, 1941.

FLUSH TANK Filed June 21, 1940 2 Shegts-Sheet 1 ii? III I Inventor far! K E 0.5/

c. A. EAsLEY April 8, 1941.

FLUSH TANK- Filed June 21, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Attorney Patented Apr. 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE- FLUSH TANK Carl A. Easley, Fort Scott, Kans.

Application June 21, 1940, Serial No. 341,750

4 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to flush tanks of the type used in connection with toilet bowls or hoppers, and more particularly to an improved valve mechanism therefor.

In accordance with the present invention a valve arrangement is provided whereby a portion of the water may be discharged from the flush tank as required for flushing the bowl after urinating, and substantially the entire contents of the tank permitted to discharge therefrom after defecation; and the invention, together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view mostly in elevation illustrating the application of the invention, and with certain parts of the flush tank broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the discharge conduit forming part of the invention.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view showing the handle and lever assembly for manipulating the flush valve, and

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken through the assembly illustrated in Figure 3, and showing certain details hereinafter more fully referred to.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that 5 indicates a conventional flush tank; 6 the water inlet pipe for the tank; 1 the float-controlled valve at the upper end of the pipe 6, and 8 the float for the valve '7.

In accordance with the present invention there extends through the usual opening 9 provided in the bottom of the flush tank 5 a discharge nipple III fixedly secured in position through the medium of nuts H, and to which the inlet pipe for the bowl is connected in the usual manner; suitable gaskets I3 being em- I 9 is formed to provide an integral seat 22 fora valve element 23 that controls the passage of water from the tank 5 into the stand pipe IQ for passage of water from the tank 5 into the stand pipe IQ for passage through the pipe l9,

head l4, and nipple I0 into the bowl for flushing purposes.

At the top side thereof the head I4 is also provided with a relatively short integral stand pipe 24, the upper end of which is formed to provide an integral valve seat 25. Normally engaging the seat 25 is a valve element 26 substantially identical with the valve element 23, and controlling the flow ofwater from the tank 5 through the stand pipe 24, head l4 and nipple in into the bowl for flushing purposes. In this connection it will be appreciated that valve seat being at a lower level than seat 22, practically the entire contents of the tank 5 may discharge therefrom for flushing the bowl when the valve 26 is in unseated or raised position.

The stand pipe 24 also has extending laterally therefrom a vent 21 to which is connected the lower end of a vertical vent pipe 28.

At'the side I! thereof the head I4 is provided with aninwardly and vertically swinging hollow valve 29 which, when water is passing through the head Hi from the stand pipe I9 is held in the dotted line position shown in Figure 2 for cutting ofi communication between the head l4 and the stand pipe 24 to prevent unseating of the valve 26 when this particular flushing operation is taking place. 1

Suitably secured on the wall of the flush tank 5 through the medium of flange 3D and nut 3|, and extending inwardly of the tank is a bearing 32 in which is journaled a shaft 33 that is held against axial movement relative to the bearing through the medium of a collar 34 on the inner end of the shaft 33 and a handle 35 on the outer end of said shaft as clearly shown in Figure 3.

Also clamped in position through the medium of the nut 3| and as shown in Figure 3, is an angular bracket 36, that is preferably of the shape shown in Figure 3.

Pivoted to one end of the bracket 36, as at 31, is one end of a valve-operating arm 38 while pivoted to a second end of the bracket 36 as at 39 is a valve-operating arm 46.

The valve-operating arm 38 has a suitable lost motion connection 4| with the stem 42 of the valve 23, while' the valve-operating arm 40 has a similar connection 43 with the stem 44 of the valve element 26.

The valve stem 42'works through a suitable guide 45 adjustably secured on the overflow pipe 2| as at 46. The valve stem 44 works through a similar guide 41 adjustably mounted on the overflow pipe 28 as at 48 (see Fig. 1).

Detachably secured on the inner end of the.

handle-equipped shaft 33 is an angular lever 49, the free end of which engages under the arm 38. A similar lever 50 is also detachably secured at one end thereof to the inner end of the handleequipped shaft 33 and has its free end engaging the upper edge of the'valve-operating arm 40, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

From the above it will be apparent that when it is desired to use but a portion of .the water in the tank 5 forflushing the toilet bowl, as might be desired after urination, the handle 35 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and this rotative movement of the handle is transmitted through the shaft 33 and the lever 49 to the valve-operating arm 38 causing the latter to swing vertically upwardly. This vertical upward swinging movement of the arm 38 is transmitted through the connection 4| and valve stem 42 to the valve 43 for raising or unseating the valve permitting the water to drain from the tank through the stand pipe I9, and until the level of the water in the tank falls below the valve seatequipped end 22 of the stand pipe l9.

When it is desired to use practically all of the water contents of the flush tank for flushing purposes, as might be desired after a defecation, the handle 35 is swung in a clockwise direction and this movement of. the handle is transmitted to the shaft 13 and lever 20, to the arin 40, as will be clear from a study of Figure 3, causing the arm 40 to swing upwardly with the result that the valve 26 is lifted oif of its seat permitting the water to pass from the tank 5 through the stand pipe 24 and into the bowl, this discharging of the water being permitted to take place until the level of the water in the tank 5 falls below the valve-equipped end of the stand pipe 24.

In connection with the above it will be apparent that when the water is flushing from the tank through the stand pipe [9 the force of the water against the valve 29 will cause the latter to swing from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the dotted line position suggested therein with the result that the water passing through the head I4 and outwardly through the nipple ID will have no effect whatever on the valve 26 and therefore valve 26 will remain in an undisturbed seated position during this particular flushing operation.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction, assembly, manner of use, and advantages of a flush tank valve assembly as constitutes the essence of this invention, will be had without a more detailed description thereof.

It is also to be understood that it is in no wise intended to limit the invention to the precise de- .valve engaging each of said valve seats, and

manipulative means for selectively and independently operating said valves, and a hinged valve member in said head normally closing communication hetween said head and the first-mentioned stand pipe; said hinged valve member being responsive to the pressure of water for swinging in a vertical plane to close communication between said head and the second-named stand pipe during a flow of water from the first-named stand pipe through said head.

2. In a discharge valve assembly for flush tanks, a nipple having an end adapted to extend outward-1y through an opening in the bottom of a flush tank for connection with a toilet bowl, said nipple having an integral hollow head at the inner end thereof, said head having an intake neck extending laterally therefrom, a stand pipe having a curved end secured to said neck, said head also having a relatively short integral stand pipe extending upwardly from the top side thereof, each of said stand pipes being provided at the free end thereof with a valve seat, and a swingabie valve member pivotally mounted interiorly of said head, said swingable valve normally seating against the side of the head equipped with said neck, and adapted, in response to water pressure, to swing upwardly to seat against the top side of said head, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a discharge valve assembly for flush tanks, an outlet nipple passing through the bottom of the tank, a long stand pipe in communication with the nipple, a short stand pipe in communication with the nipple, valves at the upper ends of the stand pipes, manually actuated means for opening either valve and. a valve member for closing the upper part of the short stand pipe when water is flowing through the long stand pipe, to prevent such water from opening the valve of the short pipe, said valve being actuated to closed position by the flow of water through the long stand pipe.

4. In a discharge valve assembly for flush tanks, an outlet nipplepassing through a lower part of the tank, a. long stand pipe connected with the nipple, a, short stand pipe connected with the nipple, a valve at the upper end of each stand pipe, manually operated means for opening either valve, a valve seat in the short stand pipe and spaced downwardly from the upper end thereof, an upwardly extending vent pipe connected with the short stand pipe between the valve seat and the upper end thereof and valv means pressed upon the valve seat by the water flowing through the long stand pipe into the nipple, said valve means preventing this water from opening the valve of the short stand pipe.

CARL A. EASLEY. 

